Meadowood - A Diamond in the Rough
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Sometimes the most interesting places are right in our own backyards. For those living near Lorton, Virginia, that couldn't be more true of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area. Did you know that Meadowood not only provides a multitude of different trail experiences for the hiker, jogger and equine enthusiast, but also hosts Earth Sangha, National Audubon Society, Simple Changes, youth campouts from area schools and other organizations, to name a few on-site activities?To honor Virginia's Invasive Removal Day, Earth Sangha, a non-profit charity since 1997, brought volunteers out to plant a variety of native trees and vegetation. The natural plants will help crowd out invasive species such as Japanese stiltgrass. This invasive annual grass can reach 3.5 feet in height, and grows 1 to 3 feet in a branching, sprawling, manner.Chris and Lisa Bright, co-founders of Earth Sangha, are regular visitors to Meadowood. Chris said, “The hydrology of the area has changed, allowing water to overflow creek banks. As water seeps into the soil and raises the water table, tree roots are drowned, destroying the life of the tree. However, there are still over 600 wooded acres with chestnuts, white oaks, northern red oaks, butternut hickory, sweet gum, royal ferns, Jack in the Pulpits, and many other types of vegetation that make up the forest ecology."Lisa said, past student volunteers often stay in touch and enlist siblings saying, My kid brother (sister) will take over for me," and they do.At the same time the planting effort was taking place, Jeff McCusker, BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner, was training a volunteer to operate an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Later, he and another volunteer, Meredith Bridger, worked on the new four-mile long South Branch Trail on the west parcel of Meadowood. McCusker explained, “It will mostly be a natural surface trail for hiking and biking." Looking for something to do? Call McCusker, phone 703-440-3464, for opportunities to be a Meadowood volunteer.Visitors to this wonderful natural area will have a hard time deciding which direction to go first: hike the Mustang Loop Trail (or one of many others), listen to the birds and try to figure out who's calling who, enjoy a picnic lunch, or join in on a volunteer project. What is your choice?
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.